Collingwood could have a case of “trade regret” this year amid early struggles in the forward line.

And there’s one man they could have kept for “cheap as chips” who might have helped with another one of their key issues.

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The Magpies have kicked just 11 goals in each of their first two games this season, and the forward unit hasn’t looked all that fluent – described as “toothless”.

Trade recruit Jack Buller has gone goalless in his first two games at the club, after it let veterans Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox go last offseason.

Herald Sun and Fox Footy reporter Jay Clark pondered whether Collingwood “has a case of trade regret”.

“Because it is clear to everyone that they are lacking a key forward presence to help steer that scoring rush,” he said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.

“At the moment, they look a bit toothless in attack. And that is no offence to Jack Buller, who’s trying his guts out down there, but he’s a young man … they’re clearly lacking something.”

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In his post-match press conference on Saturday night, Pies coach Craig McRae admitted as much.

“That’s the reality, we’re not getting enough out of our keys, that’s real,” McRae said.

“I’m not going to shy away from that; we’ve got work to do on that.”

Collingwood recorded four more inside-50 entries than Adelaide at the MCG, but repeatedly had issues lowering their eyes for their final kick inside 50.

“If that (not getting enough out of keys) is the case, and all the Collingwood players would be wanting something more in that forward half, why have they let go arguably their two best key forwards in Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox?” Clark continued.

“In the preliminary final against Brisbane, who did they start at full forward and centre-half forward? It was Cox and Mihocek – (Dan) McStay wasn’t even in the team.

“So, they’re win-now, Collingwood, they’re in the premiership window … they’ve got an ageing profile, they’ve just topped up with Houston and Perryman, so why would they get rid of the tip of the spear?

“If they could have their time over again, would they not want to have at least one of those back in Mihocek and Cox?”

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In the case of Cox, the American could’ve helped this season in more ways than one, with the Pies also struggling out of the centre square.

“He wouldn’t have cost the Pies that much – he would have been cheap as chips – and he can also help out in the centre square,” said Clark.

“Because over the first two games, another problem has emerged for the Pies – and that’s their centre square ruckwork.

“Now, we love Darcy Cameron, he’s great around the ground, he saved them so many times with his marking, but have a look at these numbers.”

Collingwood lost the centre clearance count 8-15 against St Kilda in Opening Round and 9-16 against Adelaide on Saturday night.

“They’ve been effectively belted twice now … that’s 31-17 over the first two games,” Clark said.

“Cox can play a role in there; Darcy Cameron’s never been a great centre-square ruckman – that’s what Cox could have done.”

Probed on the idea of the Magpies having ‘trade regret’, two-time flag-winner David King said one or two changes weren’t going to elevate this side into premiership contention in the short term.

“The Buller (move) I can understand – they had to go younger. Cox is ageing – he might play a role for Fremantle, bits and pieces, but I think at his age, they had to look past that,” King said.

“Does anyone think they’re a premiership contender this year? … I don’t think one or two additions are going to make them a premiership contender next year, the year after.

“I might be wrong, but I think they’re in a reset, rebuild phase.”